Last Minute Rally Advances Men's Lacrosse in Tourney

Pomona, N.J. (4/29/09) - Sophomore Justin Lappen (Tolland, Conn.) netted the game-winner with just 24 seconds left in regulation as #3 Kean University defeated host #2 Richard Stockton College, 7-6, Wednesday evening in the opening round of the Skyline Tournament.

The Cougars (12-6) avenge their loss from Saturday, which coincidentally was the exact same score. Kean advances to defend their title and take on #1 Montclair State University on Saturday, May 2^nd at 1 p.m.

Anthony Bertucci (Edison, N.J.) led Kean with two goals while Nick Angrisani (Belle Mead, N.J.) added a goal and an assist. Cougars' goalkeeper John Gesumaria (Cranford, N.J.) registered 13 saves for the win. Matt Bell (Jackson, N.J.) and Brendan McCarthy (Howell, N.J.) scored two goals apiece for Stockton.

Bertucci (pictured left) scored with 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter to give Kean a 5-3 lead. After Bell netted his second of the game to get Stockton within 5-4, McCarthy hit the back of the net to tie the match at 5-5 with 3:25 remaining. Just 58 seconds later, McCarthy struck again to give Stockton its first lead of the game at 6-5 with 2:27 to play.

The Ospreys were less than a minute away from their second come-from-behind victory over Kean this week when C.J. Gannon (Morris Plains, N.J.) scored with 31 seconds remaining to knot the game at 6-6. Lappen then won the ensuing faceoff, streaked down the field and scored the game-winner with 24 ticks on the clock to give Kean the 7-6 triumph.